Love Lakewood New Year, New You Event kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Fort Steilacoom Park. Experience the power of community by joining us for a free Welcome Walk. The gentle 1.5-mile walk is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Starting at Shelter 1, the walk takes you around Waughop Lake on a flat, paved surface and is perfect for socializing. Register as soon as possible and be one of the first 100 people to receive a Love Lakewood hat or scarf! This is a casual atmosphere to meet your neighbors or re-connect with friends. Enter the New Neighbor raffle and win great prizes.

From 10 a.m.to 2:30 p.m. sample free yoga classes and mediation in the heated indoor pavilion. See first-hand what our new Yoga program has to offer. Makenzie Stewart Hizon will offer Kirtan chanting and harmonium. Please pre-register at Yoga, Meditation, and Welcome Walks - City of Lakewood. Space is limited.

No event is complete without food and lots of it. Socialize around the firepits and enjoy free s'mores. Purchase food from some our favorite food trucks like Tin Hut BBQ & Pizza, Morena's Authentic Mexican food, Kettle Corn, and Sugar & Spoons frozen cookie dough and hot chocolate. Stay dry under covered eating areas. Get swag and information from local vendors.

"Lakewood is unique in that we have thousands of people that transition in and out of the city every year with the military base. This time in our life is also unique. So many people are experiencing social anxiety from being isolated during Covid. Community members are looking for free ways to meet new people other than at bars. The welcome walk provides an organic setting where people can go for a gentle 1.5 mile walk and mix and mingle without any pressure. They can also sit and eat together from awesome food trucks under large, covered tents and experience the power of community," said Sally Martinez, Recreation Coordinator, City of Lakewood.

"The new neighbor raffle is a fun way for people to write down the name of someone who they met and enter it in the drawing for great prizes. Not everyone is ready to run a 5K or a half marathon and this gentle walk is an entry point for everyone. It's always our goal to be inclusive. The path is ADA accessible the entire way, skateboard friendly, bike friendly, and dog friendly. It's inviting for families with children, singles, and adults of all ages. I can't think of a better way to kick off the new year and to let new members of our community know we welcome and value them. And who knows, maybe you will meet someone that will be a new friend for life," Martinez added.

The event also showcases the City of Lakewood's Yoga program. Each week there are a variety of yoga classes offered including Gentle Yoga, Vinyasa, and Yin Yang. This is a great way to discover yoga at a very reasonably price, $5 a class. All levels are welcome and can be adapted for beginners up to advanced yoga practitioners. Throughout the year there are meditation events offered and welcome walks each quarter.

LOVE LAKEWOOD NEW YEAR, NEW YOU, 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 14, Fort Steilacoom Park, 8714 87th Ave. SW, Lakewood, Free, 253-983-7758, see all that we have to offer!  Register.

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